Field of Specialization: Genetics and Plant Breeding

Research Interests:

1. Breeding maize for high yield and stress tolerance
2. Exploring root architecture as an important traits against different stresses
3. Pre Breeding
4. Molecular breeding as a tool for developing high yielding maize hybrids

Current Research Projects: “Breeding maize for high yield and stress tolerance for cultivation in different seasons”

Faculty Profile: Dr.RumeshRanjan, Maize Breeder at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has extensive experience in the genetic improvement of maize. He leads a dynamic research program to develop high-yielding, early-medium duration, climate-resilient maize hybrids. His work integrates pre breeding, conventional breeding with advanced molecular and physiological tools, emphasizing root traits that enhance anchorage and impart tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. He has involved in development of seven maize hybrids including field corn, and speciality corn.  He has significantly contributed to identifying superior genotypes, and developing inbred lines for diverse agro-climatic zones. As a mentor and research leader, Dr. Ranjan, fosters national and international collaborations, teaches six undergraduate and postgraduate courses, guided two postgraduate students and actively participates in extension activities, including farmer field visits to promote improved maize technologies. With over 35 research papers, 4 book chapters, 6 popular articles and multiple prestigious national and international awards, his work advances sustainable maize production, resource-use efficiency, and climate-resilient agriculture.

Selected Research Publications (2021 onwards & * corresponding author):

1. Thapa, S., Garg, T., Ranjan, R*., Singh, G., & Vikal, Y. (2025). Efficient and rapid identification of tropical maize inbred lines tolerant to waterlogging stress. Scientific reports, 15(1), 2600. (NAAS: 9.80).
2. Kumar, S., Ranjan, R*., Garg, T., Vikal, Y., & Das, A. (2025). Breeding resilience: decoding waterlogging tolerance traits in maize. Cereal Research Communications, 1-16. (NAAS: 7.60).
3. Kumar, S., Ranjan, R*., Tosh Garg, R., Vikal, Y., & Chhabra, G. (2025). Comparative assessment of screening techniques under pot and field conditions for waterlogging tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) inbreds. Indian J. Genet. Plant Breed, 85(3), 437-444. (NAAS: 7.0).
4. Kumar S., Ranjan R*.,Garg T., Vikal Y., Das, A., Sandhu, S., Kushwah, A. and Singh S. (2025). Stress Indices: Exploring the Selection tool for Waterlogging-Tolerant Maize Inbred Lines in Early Segregating Generations. Maydica, 67(3) (NAAS: 8)
5. Rana, P., Garg, T., Ranjan, R*.,Sandhu, S. K., &Ghai, N. (2024). Waterlogging Stress in Maize: Analyzing Biochemical Responses and Root Trait Adaptations. Maydica, 67(2). (NAAS: 8)

6. Sandhu, S., Ranjan, R., & Sharda, R. (2023). Root plasticity: an effective selection technique for identification of drought tolerant maize (Zea mays) inbred lines. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 5501. (NAAS:9.80)
7. Karnatam, K.S., Chhabra, G., Saini, D.K., Singh, R., Kaur, G., Praba, U.P., Kumar, P., Goyal, S., Sharma, P., Ranjan, R. and Sandhu, S.K. (2023). Genome-wide meta-analysis of QTLs associated with root traits and implications for maize breeding. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(7), p.6135. (NAAS: 10.90)

8. Ranjan, R., Yadav, R., Gaikwad, K. B., Bainsla, N. K., Kumar, M., Babu, P., &Dharmateja, P. (2023). Spring wheat’s ability to utilize nitrogen more effectively is influenced by root phene variation. Plants, 12(5), 1010. (NAAS: 10.00 )

9. Dharmateja, Palaparthi, RajbirYadav, Manjeet Kumar, PrashanthBabu, Neelu Jain, Pranab Kumar Mandal, RakeshPandey, ManojShrivastava, Kiran B. Gaikwad, Naresh Kumar Bainsla, VipinTomar, NasreenSaifi and RumeshRanjan (2022). Genome-wide association studies reveal putative QTLs for physiological traits under contrasting phosphorous conditions in wheat (Triticumaestivum). Frontiers in Genetics13 (NAAS: 8.80)

1. RumeshRanjan, RajbirYadav, Neelu Jain, NiveditaSinha, Naresh Kumar Bainsla,
   Kiran B. Gaikwad and Manjeet Kumar (2021). Epistatic QTLs Play a Major Role in Nitrogen Use Efficiency andIts Component Traits in Indian Spring Wheat. Agriculture, 11, 1149. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11111149 (NAAS: 9.30)

11. RumeshRanjan and RajbirYadav (2021). Genetics of root traits influencing nitrogen use efficiency under varied nitrogen level in spring wheat (Triticumaestivum). Cereal Research Communications, 1-11.https://doi.org/10.1007/s42976-021-00224-3 (NAAS: 7.60)

12. RumeshRanjan, RajbirYadav, KiranGaikwad, Manjeet Kumar, Naresh Kumar, PrashanthBabu, RenuPandey, and Arun K. Joshi. (2021). Genetic variability for root traits and its role in adaptation under conservation agriculture in spring wheat.” Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding81 (01), 24-33.(NAAS: 7.0)

13. Ranjan, R. ,&Yadav, R. (2021). Genetics of nitrogen use efficiency and its component traits under nitrogen-rich environment in wheat (Triticumaestivum). The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 91(8), 1215-1218. (NAAS: 6.4)

Important Achievements:

• Awarded NetajiSubash ICAR- International Fellowship-2015 ( 1^st Rank) by Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, New Delhi, India for Doctoral Research in Division of Genetics, IARI, New Delhi.

• Awarded Silver Jubilee Scholarship -2014, Ministry of External Affair, New Delhi,  for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

• Awarded Nepal Aid Fund Scholarship-2010, DARE, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer welfare, New Delhi for M.Sc. (Ag) CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India.

• Honored by International Plant Nutrition Research Institute (IPNI) Scholar award-2016, Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA for Doctoral research work on Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Wheat for its strong relevance to farming communities. (Certificate and award money $2000).

• Awarded tour grant-2017 ($1000) for the training on “Wheat Genetics and Marker Development” and “Phenotyping and Phenomics“ Course organized by Indo-UK centre for the improvement of Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Wheat (INEW) at Rothamsted Research and John Inn Center, Norwich, United Kingdom.

• Awarded by Global Future Institute (GFI)-2008,Washington, USA for research on “Economic Production and Marketing of Honey: A case of Dang district” during under graduation.  (Award Money: $500).

• Secured highest OCPA (8.43) in Ph.D. Genetics and Plant Breeding, IARI, New Delhi.
• Secured second highest OCPA (8.24) in M.Sc. Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCSHAU, Hisar.
• Merit Fellowship in B.Sc. (Ag), Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Professional Achievement:

• Editorial Board: Journal of Crop Improvement (Impact Factor: 1.5)
• Reviewing Editor: Frontiers in Plant Science (Impact Factor: 4.8)
• Life Member: Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding

Academic Programs:

PG Students:

PhD Student: Sunandan Swain (L-2024-A-46-D)

M.Sc Student: Rohit (L-2023-A-083-M)